Scream Review

Released: Mar 10, 2009Genre: Dance, RockLabel: Mosley/Interscope/UniversalNumber Of Tracks: 14
Fans of Chris Cornell's Soundgarden days may be in for the shock of their lives with the singer's new solo release, Scream.

ScreamFeatured review by: UG Team, on february 16, 2009 8 of 8 people found this review helpful

Sound: For those of us who grew up with the early, grunge-fueled days of Soundgarden, you're about to be in for a shock. Many of us know that Cornell has been branching out toward a more radio-friendly sound since splitting with Audioslave back in 2007, but the singer's latest effort is a huge leap into unfamiliar territory: dance music. Scream, Cornell's 3rd solo studio album, is rooted heavily in synth, sampling, and dance grooves. It's a logical result, considering that Cornell chose Timbaland (the man behind many Justin Timberlake and Nelly Furtado songs) to act as one of the main producers of the album. Long story short, the best way to go into listening to Scream is with a completely open mind.

Listening to the 1st track on the record, I seriously thought I had put in the wrong CD. There were no crunchy guitars, or even acoustics for that matter. The song Part of Me begins with majestic horns (or at least samples) and soon after a crazy and indecipherable voice that sounds like a cross between a robot and a demon. It's not really the way you expect a Cornell album to kick off, and it's not necessarily a bad thing - just extremely unexpected. After the elaborate intro, Part of Me morphs into what is essentially a dance song. Drum beats and samples drive the song, and it is actually infectious in a clubgoer sort of way.

The dance/R&B vibe stays consistent throughout, and Timbaland certainly has a way with creating some unusual mixes. Between the Middle Eastern vibe and rich vocal harmonies of Take Me Alive to the computer-like synth solo of Sweet Revenge, the creativity isn't lacking. Scream, which has a title that begs for some musical insanity (possibly of the metal kind), is actually one of the most laid-back songs on the album. Once again, Cornell knows how to raise a few eyebrows.

In the latter part of the album things tend to get a little repetitive. Granted, club/techno hits often rely on choruses that repeat the same line over and over again, and given the content on Scream, that's probably what Timbaland and Cornell were going for. If you're a fan of a more stripped-down sound that gets back to the basics, you'll have to wait until the final track. Two Drink Minimum is a bluesy little number co-written by John Mayer, and while it's still a far cry from Pretty Noose or Loud Love, it's nice to hear instruments in their raw form come through the mix. // 7

Lyrics: When you compare the lyrics on Scream to Cornell's past works, it definitely seems like many of them been written to fit the dance genre. Part of Me is a prime example with lines such as, I love the girl, I'm lovin' the dress she wears; She's got a hold, got a hold of me neck, oh yeah. Not every tracks is as quite as superficial, and there are a few that are more emotionally driven. In Long GoneCornell sings, I used to watch your flowers grow; Now it's raining and all your petals turns to stone; I've been praying; I turn around and see my rose. The lyrical content may not be quite as strong as what we've heard in some Soundgarden songs, but in comparison to the music it's nothing too out of the ordinary. // 8

Overall Impression: The cover photo for Scream couldn't be more fitting: Chris appears to look as if he's about to smash the living crap out of his guitar. I may be reading too much into it, but it certainly does seem to relay a message that you don't always need a guitar as the centerpiece to create a quality song. If you don't like the idea of dance music fueled by funky samples and drum machines, you may be quite angry with the direction that Cornell has chosen. When compared with his last release Carry On, you do have to give him credit for being more innovative. Having Timbaland as a producer could guarantee him success with a whole new audience, and those listeners will likely be the most receptive to Cornell's new club-driven repertoire. For those who are still mad that he went to a softer style of rock in Audioslave, Scream might be the final straw. // 7

Scream
Reviewed by:
NaivexLi, on march 19, 2009 3 of 4 people found this review helpful

Sound: I see no reason to describe the sound. If you are reading this review you are most likely very familiar with how Scream is not your typical album from Chris Cornell and that it has taken on a very dance like feel instead of the grunge and rock background the man hails from. Personally I feel it worked well for him. // 8

Lyrics: Lyrically this album is a mature Chris Cornell. He has been heading in this direction over years. No, it's not as obscure as early Soundgarden, Temple of the Dog, or even some Audioslave albums; but he's been mellowing a bit lyrically. Most people call this "evolving" and "maturing". You no longer need to descipher his lyrics, but they are still "rock" lyrics, despite the obvious genre change.
Chris Cornell does not have the 4 octave powerhouse voice he displayed in Superunknown and Badmotorfinger, but his vocal abilities are hardly taking a beating. He sings and wails in his usual manner. // 9

Overall Impression: This is a hit or miss album. Everyone has their own view on Chris Cornell and his constant evolution through the years. If you are more avid into Soundgarden and Temple of the Dog for their raw power and muddy guitar work then you will most likely not appreciate this album. If you are simply a fan of Chris Cornell then you have hope to not hate this album entirely. I love that Chris Cornell was not afraid to walk to the edge of a cliff and dive off with a paper bag as a parachute, however I think even for this style it could have been better.
If this album were lost or stolen I would most definately buy it again. // 9

Scream
Reviewed by:
unregistered, on february 20, 2009 1 of 2 people found this review helpful

Sound: Anticipation is a bitch, don't you know. I and half of the Western world anticipated G 'n R's long suffering Chinese Democracy with the fiendishness of a junkie 5 days without a fix only to have the deliverance render not so much as a contact high. When will I learn my lesson? It's not as if I and the other half of the Western world didn't know that this Chris Cornell/Timbaland thing wasn't going to work out in anyone's favor but stillthere was a shred of hope that from somewhere within the walls of the recording studio, amid the Auto Tuner, the drum machines, the vocoder, the copious amounts of hallucinogenics, etc., that something akin to.. Hell, even the worst Audioslave tune, might come out of collaborating with a one-trick pony on repeat like Timbaland. This miracle musical thing I hoped for underneath this week's full moon despite my previous blog on this subject: // 4

Lyrics: I'm thinking that the creative well is running a bit dry. The R&B world of late is hardly known for being lyrically astute and it somewhate sounds like Cornell lowered the bar in order to fit right in. Congratulations, you succeeded. Cornell's vocals are decent if not so often obscured or overshadowed by the noise... I mean music. // 4

Overall Impression: From the monkey yelps of Ground Zero to the unwarranted misogyny in Part of Me (that bitch ain't a part of me) which I look forward to the day when a young man is crooning that little ditty to or about Cornell's daughter, to the limp-dicked Long Gone to the hey, hey! and that annoyingwhat is thata Wurlitzer twirling in the background of Watch Out? He's criticizing some chick's driving skillz and in my head I'm seeing backup dancers in booty shorts but I'm not feeling the rock. My iTunes classified the album's genre as Rock. Dude... Where's the f*cking rock?
Absent. AWOL. On leave. Taking a time out. Pissing on itself in shame. Thirteen tracks and one bonus track- "Two Drink Minimum" which is a deep, saloon bluesy trek of regret and the album's only redeeming feature- but it's wasted here because the ship still sinks faster than the Lusitania. Thirteen tracks and I got up to #11 and then called it a day. My laptop is pretty and I love her and here I sit questioning the insult of having the 119 MBs of Scream taking up space on my hard drive. That space would be better utilized by The Village People because there's honor in disco as it served a purpose and knows it's place in the grand scheme of things. Here, Cornell actually has the belief that Scream is an artistic breakthrough, his best album (I cut him slack because he always says that about his most current project), and TimbalandI don't know what he's thinking about other than trying to put a rock star in the clubs. With so much gloss, bells, tinkering, whistles and effected aural textures Timbaland effectively buries the very thing that is supposed to be the star of the show: Cornell's ungodly vocal ability. Not lost at all because it apparently never showed up for duty, are the stormy and beautifully abstract nature of Cornell lyrics. Instead what we get are the arrogant plastic words of attitude that make contemporary R&B so much the crap that it is today. I can't go anywhere near an R&B station because the sounds that pass for good music embarrass me... And I'm Black.
Cornell sings I'm a long way away from home in the faux-sitar, dance with sounds of the Middle East Take Me Alive and truer words were never spoken/sung by the man's extraordinary voice. Carry On, his last solo effort from 2007, received a lukewarm reception from fans and critics alike due to it's over arch of a cheesy adult contemporary nature. That mellow album had it's moments and, I swear, still has the potential to actually grow on you and bless him for his treatment of Billie Jean Sure, many diehards who cut their emotional teeth on Cornell screaming bloody hell like a bat with it's nuts on fire atop insanely loud guitar riffs couldn't digest Carry On but that was to be expected. Others simply appreciated the fact that everyone's favorite grungy rock god was now a guy in his 40's, married with children, a restaurant owner, living in *gasp* France, and well hell, was just seemingly a dude finally at ease in his life. I could dig it. Fast forward to 2009 and Scream and well,... Here we are.
Life is hard. And the funny thing is I'm not mad at Timbaland. How could I or anyone be? The guy has his gig and he walked right into this project and did exactly what it is he does so very well, what it is that's made him successful. Cornell on the other hand, is supposed to be the ship's captain and responsible for his creative output. One thing that Cornell has always had in his favor is the fact that the man has always been musically contradictory; although the label of grunge will follow him until the day that he dies, he's consistently expressed himself through unique collaborations (Temple of The Dog), projects (solo work on Great Expectations, Casino Royale and Mission Impossible 2 soundtracks), and simple going is own way (the incomparable Euphoria Morning). If Scream would have yielded anything that resembled crazy, mind-blowing artistic leaps that really did channel Dark Side Of The Moon, man there'd be no more a vocal champion for this (inconceivable) ultimate mash-up than me. Instead Scream comes off as little more than piss poor, thinly veiled attempts at what amounts to a musical sex change for the sake of a rock dude mainlining the mediocre mainstream. Media placements with Verizon Wireless... Okay. ABC's drama "Life On Mars" pimping "Ground Zero"... Alrighty. I won't begrudge those things, but I will note how out of place they feel to me but completely apropos for music that would otherwise go nowhere without so much public push.
And that's all I got. I'm actually surprised that I was able to eek this many words out on a subject that I thought I'd forgo but something about Other Side Of Town really pissed me off. Oh yeah, Cornell babbling about a girl dissing him because he screwed up and he has the nerve to ask What type of shit is she on? Mind if I ask that very question of you, Mr. Cornell? You really don't wear this ghetto-fab, urban league, shout-out-to-your-homies crap well. You really should have left that side of town the moment Timbaland began to eviscerate your sound, but hey, get your street cred on. Holla.
On the flip side, this project is downright fascinating... In that perverse watching a car crash kind of way. // 4

ahrg... i thought i'd love cornell's work... but seems really that he sold out finally... ok, new ways --> new fans... not me any more i'll listen to his good old stuff, hoping for better times to come

having heard several of the tracks on this album, im actually really impressed and a bit surprised by my own reaction to the album.
ill definitely be buying the album come march 10th when it hits the shops!

WoW. This just is'nt right. i mean i guess i could see him wanting to do new things but. really... is this really what its come to this point in time. what ever happened the good music you know?... hearing this new stuff just make me loss faith in about everything. i really have looked up the chris like my whole life, i mean soundgarden need i say more. right now i wish i would have died with kurt cuz theres just now place left for me in this music world...

I have been extremely tolerant of Cornell's stuff even as his ego grew to enormous proportions but, as the review says, this really is the last straw. A forty-something ex-grunge rockstar trying to be the next Justin Timberlake is too much to swallow. As for innovation, I am not so sure. "Scream" sounds like every other pop song. Terrible.

Moosi wrote:
ahrg... i thought i'd love cornell's work... but seems really that he sold out finally... ok, new ways --> new fans... not me any more i'll listen to his good old stuff, hoping for better times to come

See, that's the problem with all you Internet fatties that sit back and judge music and musicians.
The dude has been doing rock for the last 20 years...maybe he wanted to take a break. Who said anything about him selling out? How do you know he sold out?
And if you really know anything about dance music, it doesn't sell enough to records to make a multi-platinum artist like Chris Cornell consider selling out to it. If Chris wanted to sell out, he would do exactly what all you pansies want him to do: get back with Soundgarden.
THAT would be selling out, because the only reason he'd do it is to make YOU happy. When an artist does something for money, or simply for other people, that is selling out. There isn't too much money in dance music unless you're a former teen star (Timberlake, Spears).
Gah, judgemental, close-minded cowards.

nave890 wrote:
just reunite with soundgarden already
and make another temple of the dog album

Just what I was thinking. Hopefully an Soundgarden reunion might happen, or Audioslave would be amazing. But I don't think Temple of the Dog will happen, because Chris and Eddy are just too bigheaded these days.

This is what happens when you begin smoking. As much as I would love to see Soundgarden reunite, it wouldn't be like the early days. Chris' voice has just really taken a beating. There's really no way for it to be as good as it once was. It's so sad that it's come to recording dance music.

you guys should stop getting mad and just let the guy do what he wants to do. hes always seemed to me that he didnt like where he was, considering hes been jumping from band to band for the past couple of years. maybe its just time he mellowed out, tok a break, and came back to grungy stuff when hes ready to, instead of giving in the the constant hassling you guys give him

Well,I personaly think that dreaming about good old days is stupid.There will be no more Soundgarden as grunge and all its hype is over(with all my love to it).And especially no more Temple Of The Dog,which was a one-shot project - tribute to a fallen friend.I believe that musician should be creative and push the limits,should develop.That is what Cornell did when he released "Euphoria Morning" which is very deep,diverse and not much polished.I wish he'd explore that territory more,imho,that is his best work to date.But with this album... Sure,Covin,he deserves a break and it's understandable,but this album is just lame.Listening to this album I just hear another guy trying to jump successfully into the pop-world,music is very typical for a regular pop-wannabe with a very professional producer.I listen to tons of music,I like music not regarding its style,or how much guitar there is in it.But this piece of music is very disappointing,especially for the man who has tons of talent,kickass voice and who really used to push the limits and surprise people.Now he is just trying to be with the flow.Sad and frustrating album from the man who used to be one of my favourite singers.

Covin wrote:
And if you really know anything about dance music, it doesn't sell enough to records to make a multi-platinum artist like Chris Cornell consider selling out to it. If Chris wanted to sell out, he would do exactly what all you pansies want him to do: get back with Soundgarden.
THAT would be selling out, because the only reason he'd do it is to make YOU happy. When an artist does something for money, or simply for other people, that is selling out. There isn't too much money in dance music unless you're a former teen star (Timberlake, Spears).

How very Howard Roarke-esque. I applaud you. I agree, its not selling out, its pursuing his own interests, the music public be damned.
But judging this album on its musical merits, I find it forgettable. He cannot carry an album based on the strength of his voice anymore, its just not there. And the songwriting on the album is bilge; its not up to the standards he's set for himself in the past, I'm not even sure its up to the standards of the teeny-bop pop and dance music we're critical of (I have a pre-release and unlike other commentators I've actually listened to it).
I'll just content myself with his previous solo efforts and the excellent Unplugged in Sweden.

If this is truly the direction he wanted to go artistically (Which I doubt somehow...) then good for Cornell for trying something so bold. It's a shame it's an awful album then. Euphoria Morning honestly feels like it's from a different musician. Even his vocals aren't up to the usual standard. Horrid.

I never knew what to expect with this album. I heard that Timbaland was producing and thought it sounded very interesting.
Now after hearing the album, im speechless....Chris Cornell seems to actually be able to pull of everything! The album is so different for his voice and it sounds so fresh! It does get abit repetitive but there are alot of A+ songs which makes up for it. Chris Cornell didnt sell out, he felt inspired by dance music and chose to create his own dance-musich which is something that should be encouraged in todays music! We have too much of the same.
Dont know why people are complaining when someone tries to do something different. The music has to evolve, it has to grow and thats something that everyone who love music should support, no matter what genre its about.

Ah. I have so much to say for this, yet so little of it is probably gonna come in words as I want them to.
First of all. Before anything, if this is what Cornell truly wanted to do, I guess I can be happy for him that he finally retired or took a break from rock and grunge and everything, and did what he wanted to do.
And yet, it does disappoint me a lot, because there is of course hardly any grunge music coming out anymore, and anything grunge-related, whether it's Vedder's solo stuff, a reissuing of PJ's Ten, or Cornell's new solo stuff, anything at all related to grunge is something I look forward to with all I have. Thus when one of my biggest heroes, Cornell, turns to something else, I can not, and I'm sure many other SG fans cannot bear it. This is simply because Cornell was my hero as a grunge rocker, as the rough, crude, screaming SoundGarden frontman, songs like Jesus Christ Pose, Like Suicide and Rusty Cage rocking on the grunge scene for long after it's faded out. This is a huge shock for me, and I'm sure for many other fans as well, and you can't blame us for this, because not only are we not used to it, one of the huge pieces of the grunge scene that was left over, one of the last main men that ruled the grunge scene has pretty much just changed into a new person with the same name. After all, grunge music had a lot to do with anti-commercialism-type things, and now Cornell's working with timbaland or whatever? Wow, this is gonna be a tough one to handle.

Covin wrote:
Moosi wrote:
ahrg... i thought i'd love cornell's work... but seems really that he sold out finally... ok, new ways --> new fans... not me any more i'll listen to his good old stuff, hoping for better times to come
See, that's the problem with all you Internet fatties that sit back and judge music and musicians.
The dude has been doing rock for the last 20 years...maybe he wanted to take a break. Who said anything about him selling out? How do you know he sold out?
And if you really know anything about dance music, it doesn't sell enough to records to make a multi-platinum artist like Chris Cornell consider selling out to it. If Chris wanted to sell out, he would do exactly what all you pansies want him to do: get back with Soundgarden.
THAT would be selling out, because the only reason he'd do it is to make YOU happy. When an artist does something for money, or simply for other people, that is selling out. There isn't too much money in dance music unless you're a former teen star (Timberlake, Spears).
Gah, judgemental, close-minded cowards.

There are really so many things wrong with what you've typed that...well I'm going to have to assume you wanted a negative response and some sort of angry back-lash to get your goodies on. The irony is nobody here is saying anything that ridiculous...you, more than anyone else, embody the "Internet fatty" with your flaming and abrasive attitude.
The fact of the matter is, nobody can deny Cornell wants to do something different. That's not the issue. I don't think anyone wants Soundgarden back if it's going to be forced. But why can't fans hold one of their favorite artists to a higher standard? The point is, there isn't a relative linking genre between ROCK and DANCE music. People who are fans of his older stuff cannot be expected to like his new music because it is TOTALLY different and unrelated. It may be good music. But there is nothing wrong with people not liking it. How close minded do YOU have to be to not accept that some people DON'T like this music?
And why exactly are people cowards if they don't want to listen to dance music? Especially if they don't want to listen to any more cookie cutter tunes from Timbaland. Cornell would seem less like he was selling out if he didn't go with the producer who has become notorious for making very similar sounding, albeit very popular radio hits.
You're wrong about artists not having success in the dance business, especially since we're talking about Timbaland...he practically made One Republic's career with his remix of "Apologize"...only after that did their actual music hold water on the radio. Not that they aren't a good band...they are! But now they're all over pop radio and on the mp3 players of half the nation now. Much of that is due to Timbaland's name getting them out there. So this move can only be seen as selling out by Cornell, even if it is a shallow view. There is no denying that any desire to work with Timbaland at this point is a desire to have a pop radio hit.
More than anything, above anything that can be said about the music, what you wrote is one of the most hypocritical things I've read on the internet lately, and that's saying a LOT. Calling an entire group of general people "fatties", "pansies", and "cowards" isn't close-minded OR judgmental on YOUR part? Get your story straight before you decide to come poop your case of the mondays all of the internet.

We are gathered here today to mourn the passing of Chris Cornell's decent material. Throughout his career he was a standard bearer for rock and grunge music, with Soundgarden, Solo material and Audioslave. Sadly, 'Timbaland Syndrome' has claimed another victim, and Chris Cornell's decent material is now but a distant memory.
RIP (sniff)...

I don't care what Cornell does as long as it's interesting and unique. Everything I've heard from this album so far is just generic garbage though.
Even completely ignoring the amazingess that was Soundgarden and judging these songs for what they are on their own, they're just boring. Such a wasted opportunity.

DirkLance wrote:
Covin wrote:
Moosi wrote:
ahrg... i thought i'd love cornell's work... but seems really that he sold out finally... ok, new ways --> new fans... not me any more i'll listen to his good old stuff, hoping for better times to come
See, that's the problem with all you Internet fatties that sit back and judge music and musicians.
The dude has been doing rock for the last 20 years...maybe he wanted to take a break. Who said anything about him selling out? How do you know he sold out?
And if you really know anything about dance music, it doesn't sell enough to records to make a multi-platinum artist like Chris Cornell consider selling out to it. If Chris wanted to sell out, he would do exactly what all you pansies want him to do: get back with Soundgarden.
THAT would be selling out, because the only reason he'd do it is to make YOU happy. When an artist does something for money, or simply for other people, that is selling out. There isn't too much money in dance music unless you're a former teen star (Timberlake, Spears).
Gah, judgemental, close-minded cowards.
There are really so many things wrong with what you've typed that...well I'm going to have to assume you wanted a negative response and some sort of angry back-lash to get your goodies on. The irony is nobody here is saying anything that ridiculous...you, more than anyone else, embody the "Internet fatty" with your flaming and abrasive attitude.
The fact of the matter is, nobody can deny Cornell wants to do something different. That's not the issue. I don't think anyone wants Soundgarden back if it's going to be forced. But why can't fans hold one of their favorite artists to a higher standard? The point is, there isn't a relative linking genre between ROCK and DANCE music. People who are fans of his older stuff cannot be expected to like his new music because it is TOTALLY different and unrelated. It may be good music. But there is nothing wrong with people not liking it. How close minded do YOU have to be to not accept that some people DON'T like this music?
And why exactly are people cowards if they don't want to listen to dance music? Especially if they don't want to listen to any more cookie cutter tunes from Timbaland. Cornell would seem less like he was selling out if he didn't go with the producer who has become notorious for making very similar sounding, albeit very popular radio hits.
You're wrong about artists not having success in the dance business, especially since we're talking about Timbaland...he practically made One Republic's career with his remix of "Apologize"...only after that did their actual music hold water on the radio. Not that they aren't a good band...they are! But now they're all over pop radio and on the mp3 players of half the nation now. Much of that is due to Timbaland's name getting them out there. So this move can only be seen as selling out by Cornell, even if it is a shallow view. There is no denying that any desire to work with Timbaland at this point is a desire to have a pop radio hit.
More than anything, above anything that can be said about the music, what you wrote is one of the most hypocritical things I've read on the internet lately, and that's saying a LOT. Calling an entire group of general people "fatties", "pansies", and "cowards" isn't close-minded OR judgmental on YOUR part? Get your story straight before you decide to come poop your case of the mondays all of the internet.

No I'm pretty sure Covin was correct in all of his points. Here's my stand on the matter.
First of all, I wouldn't call it dance music at all just because Timbaland helped out. I'd say urban but not dance. Next, obviously he knew his success doing something different like this wouldn't be as good as doing the same thing over and over again. I think Cornell probably just wanted to try new things as opposed to wanting to make "dance" music. And the reason he worked with Timbaland is likely because Timbaland knows how to make a good beat which is what Cornell wanted for this particular album.
And at least now not all dance music completely sucks.
Besides, I hope everyone here at least listened to the album before taking this terrible review's word for it.

This proves my theory: Altough he plays 1/more instrument and could write good songs in the past, it don't means that he get automaticly to the top of the dance scene where are a lot of artists without knowing theory or instrumental skills.

Two Drink Minimum is a bluesy little number co-written by John Mayer
^I don't think this is accurate because this is what chris had to say about it on his own blog...
Finally, two drink minimum was accidentally linked by a label employee who uploaded the track to social networking site Imeem along with album closer Watch Out. It's a slow blues with keyboards and harmonica, a little reminscent of songs like When I'm Down from Euphoria Morning, or Audioslave's #1 Zero. In his regular website blog, Chris had this to say about the song:
"If someone was smart enough to find "Two Drink Minimum," bravo! It was mastered with the rest of the album and was meant to be a hidden track. I thought I was the only one who got it but obviously I was wrong. Its amazing to me how hard the record business tries to keep songs from leaking and then puts out "Watch Out," a song three minutes long with an eight minute file and doesn't notice! Oh well. I wrote that song at about 60 am to an organ melody played by Jerome Harmon. He's the guy playing the super sick Hammond B3 on it. I sang it when the sun was coming up about 10 feet from the mic. Just screaming it in the room. If you listen closely, you will hear papers rattling . May you all find your bliss "As hope and promise fade." C

honestly, i heard "Scream" and thought, "hey, maybe this will turn out pretty decent!". Then i heard "Two Drink Minimum" and held out a bit more hope...then i heard abotu 3 other songs off the album and my fragile heart was crushed to dust underneath the alligator-skinned hoof of the dream-destroying, rock-ruining, blaspheming, desecrating creature known as "Timbaland"
...honestly, i think the guy ruins good music just cause he's jealous that he can't play guitar.

Look honestly, heard a track the other night,
Its okay for someone to do something different.
Thats what this is, its his choice what he does like people can do different styles of music and thats what he has done..

as a huge CC ill probably buy the album....im sure this album is not perminant move/direction for CC i think its just an experimental album and im sure he'll branch off and do something else or go back to rock/grunge/metal
yes this album is a shock...but all of ya are overreacting imo

Selling out is an opinion. I saw Chris live with Timbaland. Didn't expect much after hearing some shit online. The show was awesome. Even played Reach Down for an encore. He apparently played the whole album, and it was pretty awesome. I don't know if I like the direction, but to each his own. Chris' real problem is snowboarding...**** snowboarding!

The-Red-Sky wrote:
No I'm pretty sure Covin was correct in all of his points. Here's my stand on the matter.
First of all, I wouldn't call it dance music at all just because Timbaland helped out. I'd say urban but not dance. Next, obviously he knew his success doing something different like this wouldn't be as good as doing the same thing over and over again. I think Cornell probably just wanted to try new things as opposed to wanting to make "dance" music. And the reason he worked with Timbaland is likely because Timbaland knows how to make a good beat which is what Cornell wanted for this particular album.
And at least now not all dance music completely sucks.
Besides, I hope everyone here at least listened to the album before taking this terrible review's word for it.

So Covin was right in ALL his points, yet you disagree in the first thing you say by contradicting the fact that you think the new album is NOT dance music? And are you completely ignoring his haphazard namecalling and generalization that, in turn, causes him to be far more ignorant than everyone he is claiming is so closed minded?
My point was never that Chris wants to do another style of music to make money, but rather, all the evidence is there should someone want to claim that he DOES. It's too hard to say one way or another, unless you sit down with Chris himself and talk it out. Otherwise, you can say one way or another, but I feel it's very easy to lean towards the idea that Cornell is looking for a pop radio hit.
And besides, you still can't say, "not all dance music completely sucks" now, because not everyone is going to like this music. Obviously most Chris Cornell fans, from this forum alone, don't like the new music. Some people will never listen to ANY dance music, so they think it sucks. Some people who are very objective and LIKE dance music won't like this CD.
My point is, everyone is entitled to an opinion, even if it is an overwhelmingly powerful one, or even if it seems unresearched. So in that way, I am fine with what you have to say about the music. But no, Covin is not wrong for chastising other people for not liking the CD, because in the end, everyone has the choice whether they like it or not. Seems like most people don't.
And

As a musican I love it! To be able to play with your own sound and try new stuff is hard.It sucks when someones music is always the same. We have to evolve and do what is right for our soul not everyone elses! Kudos to him for being a fan of music and doing what his soul tells him to do. Not the fans. Its all about the soul and Rock-n-Roll.

Covin wrote:
See, that's the problem with all you Internet fatties that sit back and judge music and musicians.
The dude has been doing rock for the last 20 years...maybe he wanted to take a break. Who said anything about him selling out? How do you know he sold out?
And if you really know anything about dance music, it doesn't sell enough to records to make a multi-platinum artist like Chris Cornell consider selling out to it. If Chris wanted to sell out, he would do exactly what all you pansies want him to do: get back with Soundgarden.
THAT would be selling out, because the only reason he'd do it is to make YOU happy. When an artist does something for money, or simply for other people, that is selling out. There isn't too much money in dance music unless you're a former teen star (Timberlake, Spears).
Gah, judgemental, close-minded cowards.

One of the most insightful comments ever posted on UG. Good job!
I play in a progressive metal band and I take any chance I can to work with jazz bands or ambient producers or reggae bands, cover bands whatever. Because I don't want to be stagnant. Chris has been in the business for a lot longer than I have and I have a ton of respect for him doing what he wants despite knowing all his fans will call him a sellout.
And Timbaland is successful cause he's great at what he does, and I bet most semi-musicians here would drop their jaws if they were put in a studio with a pro like that doing what he does best.

It's great reading some sour comments and some measured, thought out responses. It's great having a proper debate on a UG review/article for once.
Personally, I think if Chris Cornell felt he needed to adapt to modern surroundings to move his own style forward or whatever, I'm fully supportive of that decision. And seeing as Chris is one of the best musicians of his generation, I have no doubt this was done as a means to make his music evolve. One of the best singers in rock just pushed his game to a whole new level, imo.
If Chris did it for the money or whatever, then shame on him. But I highly, HIGHLY doubt he did, as a musician of his calibre.
Some of the songs are amazingly catchy, just looked up the album on youtube. I may pick this album up, it seems like a great party album. The kind you'd play while everyone's chilling out at the start of the party with a few drinks. :p

Chris has always been a money grubbin', and attention seeking man, so in a way this doesn't surprise me at all. However, you gotta give him props. He's a great singer. Unfortunately he just chose the wrong path. Haha. Oh well. It's a shame. I'll just pop in some Badmotorfinger, or some Down on the Upside and hope for the best in the future.

DirkLance wrote:
The-Red-Sky wrote:
No I'm pretty sure Covin was correct in all of his points. Here's my stand on the matter.
First of all, I wouldn't call it dance music at all just because Timbaland helped out. I'd say urban but not dance. Next, obviously he knew his success doing something different like this wouldn't be as good as doing the same thing over and over again. I think Cornell probably just wanted to try new things as opposed to wanting to make "dance" music. And the reason he worked with Timbaland is likely because Timbaland knows how to make a good beat which is what Cornell wanted for this particular album.
And at least now not all dance music completely sucks.
Besides, I hope everyone here at least listened to the album before taking this terrible review's word for it.
So Covin was right in ALL his points, yet you disagree in the first thing you say by contradicting the fact that you think the new album is NOT dance music? And are you completely ignoring his haphazard namecalling and generalization that, in turn, causes him to be far more ignorant than everyone he is claiming is so closed minded?
My point was never that Chris wants to do another style of music to make money, but rather, all the evidence is there should someone want to claim that he DOES. It's too hard to say one way or another, unless you sit down with Chris himself and talk it out. Otherwise, you can say one way or another, but I feel it's very easy to lean towards the idea that Cornell is looking for a pop radio hit.
And besides, you still can't say, "not all dance music completely sucks" now, because not everyone is going to like this music. Obviously most Chris Cornell fans, from this forum alone, don't like the new music. Some people will never listen to ANY dance music, so they think it sucks. Some people who are very objective and LIKE dance music won't like this CD.
My point is, everyone is entitled to an opinion, even if it is an overwhelmingly powerful one, or even if it seems unresearched. So in that way, I am fine with what you have to say about the music. But no, Covin is not wrong for chastising other people for not liking the CD, because in the end, everyone has the choice whether they like it or not. Seems like most people don't.
And

Thankfully someone has some sense on this forum. You are right, people should not be called "fatties" and "cowards" for their opinions, especially when it is very easy for anyone to see why such a person would have those opinions. Chris's new style isn't going to appeal to 90% of his old fans and their initial reaction is of course going to be "this music is rubbish, and he should go back to doing grunge", but that shouldn't mean they should get their viewpoints insulted especially by someone with such ignorance as Covin.

COVIN seemed as if he was trying to make a point that I agree with, until he flew off the handle with it. First off, he doesn't know anyone blogging on here - so calling someone a "fatty" or a "coward" is just retarded. He also mentioned 'selling out' - and I disagreed with his definition of selling out, as well as the notion that reuniting with Soundgarden would be selling out. Selling out is when you compromise your beliefs and integrity; and lets be practical about this..... NOBODY here knows Chris Cornell personally to be able to cast judgment on what his beliefs really are. I guess only Chris Cornell himself would be the only person who knows if he, in fact, sold out.
With that being said, Chris is one of my musical idols and outside of STP, Soundgarden is my favorite band of all time. I followed his entire career, even Screaming Life/Fopp. I don't like his new music on 'Scream' but that's ok, I don't have to. I'm sure a ton of his fans won't like it. But as a fan, I'll hope his next effort appeals to me; whether it be another good solo record, reuniting with one of his previous bands, etc.

this is really lame fashion mall shopping music i understand he wants to branch out but branch out into something good, if this is the album he had to make he would have been better off not making an album

I listened to some of the songs on myspace, and I actually really liked them. Great melodies, he sings great - like the reviewer says, just listen to the album with an open mind.
I'm glad he didn't do the 'safe' thing and just went with a guitar-based sound. This is way more interesting.

You guys seriously need to chill out.
Listen to it with an open mind like the reviewer said.
He doesn't scream or play big heavy rock guitars anymore. Big deal.
If you don't like it, don't complain.
Its not like he's gonna actually get on here and read your stupid little hate comments dissing his music.
Complain all you want, it doesn't change anything.
I don't understand why some people can't appreciate an artist trying to have some variety in their music.
Just because he does a bunch of sampling and synths doesn't mean he's trying to be the next Justin Timberlake, I'm sure if he were to put out another album that sounded like badmotorfinger people would complain about it "sounding the same".
You guys are tools, this cd is really good.

Covin wrote:
Moosi wrote:
The dude has been doing rock for the last 20 years...maybe he wanted to take a break. Who said anything about him selling out? How do you know he sold out?
THAT would be selling out, because the only reason he'd do it is to make YOU happy. When an artist does something for money, or simply for other people, that is selling out. There isn't too much money in dance music unless you're a former teen star (Timberlake, Spears).

Fans? You mean those people who drop their loyalty and turn their backs as soon as their artists decide they want to do something different from what they've been doing for 20 years?
Cornell is a musician. He's not owned by the public. He should be able to do what he wants without the condemnation of people who allegedly "appreciate" him.

I can't wait for his next project.
Luckily this is a one time thing. He was quoted as saying so.
His voice has been getting stronger lately and it's starting to get back to the Euphoria Mourning sound (in terms of projection and clarity).
I do believe him saying that he wanted to experiment with "electronic" sounds in his music ever since 97. I remember it clearly he also said it once in an interview after the release of "Euphoria Mourning".

Covin wrote:
Moosi wrote:
ahrg... i thought i'd love cornell's work... but seems really that he sold out finally... ok, new ways --> new fans... not me any more i'll listen to his good old stuff, hoping for better times to come
See, that's the problem with all you Internet fatties that sit back and judge music and musicians.
The dude has been doing rock for the last 20 years...maybe he wanted to take a break. Who said anything about him selling out? How do you know he sold out?
And if you really know anything about dance music, it doesn't sell enough to records to make a multi-platinum artist like Chris Cornell consider selling out to it. If Chris wanted to sell out, he would do exactly what all you pansies want him to do: get back with Soundgarden.
THAT would be selling out, because the only reason he'd do it is to make YOU happy. When an artist does something for money, or simply for other people, that is selling out. There isn't too much money in dance music unless you're a former teen star (Timberlake, Spears).
Gah, judgemental, close-minded cowards.

any artist that has sold thier music for profit has already sold out. close-minded.

Thanks DirkLance, it's nice seeing a reasoned argument occasionally. And it is a shame, his belting of "shadow on the sun!" is what blew my stereo system. Guess I should thank him (Chris) really, now it's only down to Randy Blythe or Rob Flynn to finish the next ones.

Music is a form of art. Cornell's always shaken things up in the music industry, and this'll be added to the list. How many people expected this album? I didn't, and I guarantee we definitely won't have a clue what to expect with his next album. On an interesting note, how hilarious would it be to see him bust some dance moves at these concerts.

I respect the hell out of Chris for doing whatever he wants to do. More power to him.
That said, as a huge Cornell/Soundgarden fan who tried to be approach the album with an open mind, I was extremlely disappointed.

Baltic Ave. :
You guys seriously need to chill out.
Listen to it with an open mind like the reviewer said.
He doesn't scream or play big heavy rock guitars anymore. Big deal.
If you don't like it, don't complain.
Its not like he's gonna actually get on here and read your stupid little hate comments dissing his music.
Complain all you want, it doesn't change anything.
I don't understand why some people can't appreciate an artist trying to have some variety in their music.
Just because he does a bunch of sampling and synths doesn't mean he's trying to be the next Justin Timberlake, I'm sure if he were to put out another album that sounded like badmotorfinger people would complain about it "sounding the same".
You guys are tools, this cd is really good.

Tell you what else is good.
Typing sentences in this fashion.
Its great, isnt it? who needs paragraphs when you have single sentences, right?
Anyway, there is no hope I will even bother downloading this. Seems like a total waste of time... Respect to him doing what he wants, but this is where his music and I part our ways. Dance?!

He didn't want to be one of those artists who got caught in a corner, comfortable with only one genre. As an artist you really have to appreciate how he's taking his talents in a new direction and opening his listener's ears to something they may not have tried on their own.
It still features his incredible vocal talent, AND has a song co-written by John Mayer! Plus some of the tracks are really catchy! I'm a blues/jazz guitarist who doesn't listen to hip-hop/rap/dance/whatever, but I've heard some samples of this CD and let me tell you, I'll be picking up a copy.

kcin1313 wrote:
WoW. This just is'nt right. i mean i guess i could see him wanting to do new things but. really... is this really what its come to this point in time. what ever happened the good music you know?... hearing this new stuff just make me loss faith in about everything. i really have looked up the chris like my whole life, i mean soundgarden need i say more. right now i wish i would have died with kurt cuz theres just now place left for me in this music world...

well i agree with the part about him branching out because over the years listening to soundgarden then going to audioslve you can tell he's changed. and chris cornell is one of those artists that cant stay in a single genre because of how creative he is i do not like his new path but i do understand why so i think if everyone goes with it we will be pleased in the near future

"Scream" is the product of Cornell's close collaboration with Timbaland. The music is largely unproductive and for a guy as talented as Cornell, really isn't at all that creative. Its just a shame that someone with such an amazing vocal talent let them self drown and create an album as shit as this. To each his own I guess

good review but wow i understand chris wants to extend his musical boundrys and all but in doing the rap kinda thing is killing his fans, such a talented guy doing this plunge is disapointing. long live audiolsave and soundgarden.

Stone Agean wrote:
Tell you what else is good.
Typing sentences in this fashion.
Its great, isnt it? who needs paragraphs when you have single sentences, right?
Anyway, there is no hope I will even bother downloading this. Seems like a total waste of time... Respect to him doing what he wants, but this is where his music and I part our ways. Dance?!

Baltic Ave. wrote:
Stone Agean wrote:
Tell you what else is good.
Typing sentences in this fashion.
Its great, isnt it? who needs paragraphs when you have single sentences, right?
Anyway, there is no hope I will even bother downloading this. Seems like a total waste of time... Respect to him doing what he wants, but this is where his music and I part our ways. Dance?!
Real mature.
You're effin' hilarious.

Baltic Ave. wrote:
And yes, that's sarcasm.

Apparently he's moved past separating paragraphs into sentences and on to making them individual posts.
Seriously, though, Chris Cornell really needs to go back on the drugs. His music has sucked since he stopped. I demand more personal torture for our musical sensibilities!

Harvey_Danger wrote:
Seriously, though, Chris Cornell really needs to go back on the drugs. His music has sucked since he stopped. I demand more personal torture for our musical sensibilities!

That is quite possibly the single most horrendous statement I've heard in quite some time, and I've heard some really f*cked up sh*t before. Just pause for a minute and dwell on the implications and ramifications of what you just suggested. Do you feel guilty yet? If not, don't worry about it. I'm embarrassed enough for the both of us.
Let the man do as he pleases. He's been in the limelight for how many years and you people still want him to do the same old song and dance? Anybody would be sick of it by now no matter how much we like it or how much "better" (if such a thing could be measured) it is to the current stuff. Cornell's dance record is fundamentally no different than the Smashing Pumpkins refusing to play their hits. If you like what's available, kudos to you. If not, join the crowd. In the meantime, as long as he's doing what he wants what's it matter? There's an audience for everything. Just because you've been following him for years but wont enjoy this album doesn't mean that someone else who's never heard of him will. But there's no need to be a dick.

ak10 wrote:
Why are you wasting your time with this, go be the lead singer of velvet revolver already

I gotta say I loved the album, and I hate hip hop, rap, RnB and most crap Timebaland is associated with. I have most soundgarden and audioslave albums, and I'm not the least disapointed with Cornell.Cum on he's been doing the same thing over 20 years, you can't blame for going for a diferent direction. I think it's rather obvious he's not trying to be the next justin timberlake, he's like 15 years older and he didn't sold out either, I don't think he needs money that bad, so people think twice before accusing anybody of anything.

first off.. id like to point out that all those people who say blah blah chris shud go back on drugs, blah blah soundgarden blah blah audioslave..
its over people..so get OVER IT!!! hes clean and those two bands are in the past and thats where they will stay!!! (soundgarden arent reuniting!!! sorry)
secondly his new album is completely and totally chris cornell.. its cornell to a tee infact.. his lyrics are still outstanding.. and hes doing what he always does.. makes genre combining music.. (remember audioslave?? gunge shrilled vocals mixed with rages unique metal sound???)
i for one applaud chris yet again on another master piece..
and if some of those songs dont get your blood pumping..your probably already dead
long live chris THE KING!!!!!
stay true to who you are!!!

You know it's funny that as much as Chris would like people to judge this work on its own merits or non-merits, people just can't seem to not consider the franchise of Chris Cornell and Soundgarden without ironically throwing up all over themselves how he's selling out to mainstream on this disk. A disc that isn't commerical in any stretch of the imagination. Then there are the attacks on the lyrics, which miss the whole subtleties of this piece. Let's take the attack on the opener. It sounds superficial until you realize he's admitting he scoped out and even wants to lay it down with a little hottie only to get busted by his woman as he quickly tries to distance himself in the sharpest most hurtful way possible. "That b---- ain't a part of me" is a slap in the PC police's face, is misogynistic and a whole lot of other complexities but, real emotions rolled into one rollicking little ball of hate. Soccer moms ain't going to be bopping to soccer practice with this one. Later the diatribe about The Other Side of town misses the whole point of the possibility of his divorce floating into the soundscape. The album is minimal and raw and it's daring for somebody to let snatches of raw emotion into the cool Timbaland beats, sort of like a man drifting helplessly on an ocean, pissed off, resigned, definitely helpless except for the pounding of his own will to survive. By the time he starts to sing (not scream) "she won't even talk to me, no!" you find yourself shifting your car effortlessly into third gear. Yeah this thing never gets to fourth but, it's like a city drive with the nites shining off a Camaro's hood. Like Sonny Crocket driving to In the Air tonight. It's a contemplative breeze and you like it and you hate it for what it reveals in you. You could sit around waiting for another Soundgarden and album and while you do, listen to "My Wave." After that you might give this disk a shot (and I will admit, I needed about three passes to start to get it), roll with the waves and observe the parts of your hate that make us the ugly little humans we're so capable of being. Enjoy the mirror of this disc! And if you don't like it, just keep it off my wave.

I borrowed this CD from the library maybe 6 months ago and I too thought I had put the wrong disc in or maybe there was another Chris Cornell out there. I tried to listen with an open mind but images of the Art of Noise and Tom Jones collaboration kept popping up even Michael Jackson !!! This would have to be the biggest disappointment musically I have heard in a long long time. Bring back the Badmotorfinger era Soundgarden for me thanks. Pat.